Restasis vs Xiidra: Which Dry Eye Solution is Best?
According to the National Library of Medicine, about six million Canadian adults have dry eye disease. The condition is quite common among adults and older citizens. A dry eye solution is the best way to treat your eyes if they are itchy, inflamed, or irritated.
Some of the most common medications for dry eye are Xiidra and Restasis. These dry eye treatments work differently because they have varying mechanisms of action. The Restasis vs Xiidra comparison can help you find the eye solution that works best for you.
If left untreated, dry eye conditions can significantly impair your quality of life. Keep reading to find out which eye solution is best for you.
What Is Restasis (Cyclosporine)?
Restasis eye drops treat dry eye conditions by assisting in producing tears. The drug is an eye drop solution that you can directly apply to your eyes to keep them moist. You need a Restasis prescription before you get an order processed by a pharmacy.
You can use Restasis eye drops with similar drugs that work the same. However, wait at least 15 minutes before using Restasis after you’ve used another eye medication. The main active ingredient in Restasis is cyclosporine, which is a calcineurin inhibitor.
The mechanism of action involves modulating the immune system to reduce inflammation. The mechanism of action is slow, and the results may take time.
Side Effects of Restasis
Taking Restasis can cause some side effects. They include the following:
- Itching
- Blurred vision
- Watery eyes and eye redness
- Burning sensation
These side effects are usually mild and will often resolve themselves after a couple of days. See a doctor if the side effects worsen or persist for a prolonged period.
Restasis Benefits
One of the critical benefits of Restasis medication is that it’s affordable at just $32.71 per unit for a 7 ml vial, while 60 vials retail for $144. You can save up to 80% by ordering this medication from PricePro Pharmacy.
In addition to its low cost, other benefits of Restasis are as follows:
- Its mechanism of action addresses the root cause of dry eye
- Improves tear production in the long term
- Has received FDA approval
- Compatible with other treatments
When using Restasis, it’s vital to avoid wearing contact lenses. Remove contact lenses and wait at least fifteen minutes before applying Restasis. You should also avoid touching the dropper to prevent it from getting contaminated.
What Is Xiidra?
An alternative to Restasis is Xiidra. This drug is an eye drop that can treat dry eye disease.
Xiidra’s mechanism of action involves binding to the LFA-1 in leukocyte cells. By doing so, Xiidra prevents the protein from interacting with conjunctival and corneal cells, alleviating dry eye symptoms.
The standard dosage of Xiidra for patients is a single drop in each eye twice daily. However, follow your prescription to the letter if the doctor has given additional instructions.
Xiidra Side Effects
The common side effects of Xiidra (lifitegrast) include the following:
- Eye irritation after application
- Blurred vision
- Headaches and sinusitis
- Increased tearing and eye redness
Your body will quickly adjust to Xiidra, making the side effects disappear.
Drug Interactions Between Xiidra and Restasis
There is no significant drug interaction between Xiidra and other eye drop solutions such as Restasis. This is mainly because not enough Xiidra gets absorbed into the body’s circulation to cause any adverse events from interacting with another drug.
Despite the limited interaction with other drugs, the best practice when taking Xiidra with another drug is to space them out by at least five minutes. Always store Xiidra at temperatures ranging from 20-250C or 68-77 0F.
Tips to Consider When Using Xiidra
Avoid contaminating the drug by not touching the dropper. It’s also essential to steer clear of directly touching the dropper with your eye or any other unsterilized surface. If you wear contact lenses, wait at least 15 minutes after applying Xiidra to put them back on.
Further, don’t store single-use Xiidra containers after opening them. Safely get rid of any remaining content of the medicine after use.
Comparing Restasis vs Xiidra
Despite medical advancements, dry eye disease remains quite prevalent in both the United States and Canada at 21%. The best way to address dry eye disease is by using eye health solutions such as Xiidra and Restasis.
Both Restasis and Xiidra are effective at treating dry eye disease. Xiidra’s effectiveness is much faster than that of Restasis due to its quick mechanism of action. Taking Xiidra can give you results in about two weeks.
Xiidra’s pricing is much higher than Restasis at $4.83 per unit, and 60 units retail at $290. However, Restasis is more effective at addressing the leading cause of dry eye disease. So, it’s the ideal choice for long-term results.
Generic Availability of Xiidra and Restasis
Xiidra is unavailable in generic form, making it more expensive. Restasis can come as cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion, a cheaper option that makes it more affordable for clients.
The active ingredient in both the generic and brand-name Restasis is the same.
Both Xiidra and Restasis are ideal for children aged 17 or older. Restasis is also safe for anyone aged 16 and older.
Xiidra is a liquid solution, while Restasis is a liquid mixture emulsion that comes in a multidose or single-use vial. You can use both Xiidra and Restasis together to treat the same condition.
Reducing the Cost of Medication
The healthcare industry is becoming more challenging for patients as medication costs keep rising. Luckily, you can lower the cost of getting treatment by choosing the right pharmacy.
Here are some of the reasons choosing PricePro Pharmacy lowers your cost of treatment:
- Access to affordable medication
- Flat-rate shipping rate to minimize charges
- Numerous coupon and discount programs
- Access to customer-centric support
Get the Best Eye Solution Today
Eye medication comparison often relies on price. However, you should take a broader view by assessing a drug’s side effects, mechanism of action, and duration of treatment. Comparing Restasis vs Xiidra as dry eye treatments proves both are effective and have mild side effects.
PricePro Pharmacy allows you to buy Canadian drugs online to reduce costs. We leverage the network of medical professionals in our orbit to ensure you get the best medications at reduced prices. Contact us today and begin enjoying significant savings on every purchase.
Work Cited
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30825521/
https://ascrs.org/clinical-education/abstracts/2018/prevalence-of-dry-eye-disease-in-canada-population-based-survey
https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/xiidra-vs-restasis#uses

